PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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There is one word that comes to mind for me every time I think through the events and details surrounding the birth of the Christ… unexpected.
That is not to say that the Messiah was not anticipated and searched for intensely (just think of the Magi / wise men who were searching and waiting for the right times), rather, that the people that God chose to be included in the greatest story to ever be told, there you will find some surprises.
One such surprise can be heard in the passage that follows:
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
(Luke 1:26-30 NIV11)
Mary Who?
Mary was not the kind of person that most people would have placed into the story that told of the birth of the Promised Savior. Here are a few details about Mary that we can glean from the biblical text:
- Mary was young. Probably under twenty.
- She and her family were from a backwater village called Nazareth.
- The area Mary was from was known to be poor and under constant harassment from the Romans.
- She was engaged to be married to a man from King David’s family line.
- She and Joseph had made the choice to remain abstinent until their wedding night.
- She was a devout believer and worshiper of the Lord.
- She had no idea what was coming her way.
Surprise
It was a huge surprise to Mary that an Angelic being would choose to visit her home and to call out her name.
It is understandable why Mary was taken aback and wondered what this greeting would mean for her. Typically, those who are greeted by Angels get themselves into some really unexpected and hard situations.
Mary was a faithful young woman, seeking to honor God with her life and with her future.
She was not a prophet or a king who could do something great for God. She was a quiet girl looking to live a quiet life with the man she loved in the town that her people had lived in for generations.
But why?
Why should the Lord choose to call out to someone like Mary?
Because Mary was willing.
Mary was someone who had submitted her life to the Lord and she was willing to sacrifice in her worship and obedience.
Mary was devout and devoted. She walked with God and the Lord knew all about her.
Reflection
As you go through your day today:
- Reflect on the kind of person that Mary was before the Lord called her into his service.
- Reflect on the way that the Lord knew Mary and found favor with her.
- Reflect on your own walk with God. Are you devoted to the Lord like Mary?
- Give thanks for this remarkable young woman who set such a good example for us all.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Works at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.
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